NELSON.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 77, 28 March 1846, Page 3

NELSON.

By the Amelia, which arrived on Thursday evening, we have received Nelson papers to the 14th March, hut there is very little news of importance in them, being principally occupied with an account of an exploring expedition to the S.W. of Nelson, and a plan for the adjustment of the Nelson land question. By the Amelia we learn that the Castor arri-ved'at-Nelson onthe 21st, and the Governor landed that evening. We have made the following extracts; — Exploring. — On Sunday evening last Mr. Fox and Mr. Heaphy, followed on Tuesday by Mr. Brunner and a native, returned from an exploring trip into the interior of this island, having been absent a month. These gentlemen have penetrated considerably further than any former Europeans from this side of the island ; indeed, it is more than probable that no white man ever before- saw the large lake and plains which thase gentlemen have discovered, and which we before knew the existence of only by native reports. The country thus discovered, though of the most valuable description, is too distant from Nelson, and separated from it by too rugged a country to be of any service to this settlement. The completion, next week, of Mr. Heaphy's journal will put our readers in possession of all the particulars of the trip. We understand that Mr. Brunner and Mr. Heaphy, accompanied again by the maori, their late companion, will start in a few days for Massacre Bay, and

from thence explore their, way to the mouth of the large river of which they saw so much on their late into the interior.

journey Launch.—The Mary Ann, a vessel of thirty-five tons, was launched fiom the Haven Road on Thursday. This is the fourth coaster registered here within the last three months.

Exports.—TheOcean Queen, chartered by Messrs. Hooper and Co., of the Nelson Brewery, sailed on Saturday last for Auckland, with another cargo of ale.

Timber.—The Augustus, which arrived last evening from Port Phillip, has come expressly for timber and spars for the Port Phillip and Adelaide markets. The following address is to be presented to his Excellency on his arrival at Nelson :—: — To his Excellency George Grey, Esq., Lieute-nant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over her Majesty's colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c, &c, Sec. Sir—We, the undersigned inhabitants of Nelson, beg leave to offer to your Excellency our most cordial welcome on your arrival in this settlement. It was with feelings of the highest satisfaction that we heard of your Excellency's appointment by our gracious Queen to tbe government of this colony. Your Excellency's reputation has been well known to us for several years. We have seen you a successful and indefatigable explorer, surmounting difficulties and dangers in the task of opening to tbe knowledge of the world the vast territory on the western coast of the Australian continent, till then untrodden by the foot of civilized man. At a later period, leaving the pursuits of science, we have seen you.in a different career, by a bold and wise administration, rescue the colony of South Australia from the confusion and ruin in which it was involved; and have witnessed its rapid progress under your auspices to the condition of high prosperity which we are happy to hear it now enjoys. We have already to congratluate your Excellency on tbe successes which hare attended you since your arrival in New Zealand, and to express our heartfelt satisfaction at the termination of the War in the north. We venture to hope that unremitting watchfulness and a continuance of the same vigour which we have admired in your Excellency's Government hitherto may prevent any renewal of the unhappy rebellion of her Majesty's misguided aboriginal subjects, and bring them to a knowledge of their social duties, of our laws, and of our power to enforce them, their ignorance of which heretofore may perhaps be considered as some excuse of their conduct. We earnestly hope that future experience may prove the exercise of that magnanimity which is the proper attribute of a great and powerful nation, in the pardon of the disaffected chiefs after a sufficient display of the avenging power of Great Britain, to have been judicious and salutary. We have never ceased to regatd the aborigines of New Zealand as a most interesting portion of the human family. It has always been our wish, at the same time (hat we have felt it to be our interest, to live with them in peaceand harmony, and, within the sphere of our means, to promote their welfare. We should hail with the greatest satisfaction the adoption of active measures which should diffuse knowledge among them and lead them gradually to the practice of industry, the necessary parent of order and morality. The obstacles which must be surmounted before New Zealand can be placed in a position of permanent prosperity are doubtless greater than those which your Excellency successfully encountered in the colony which laments yourde - parture. But when we consider the greatresources of this country, and the many advantages it enjoys, perhaps unequalled in any other part of the world, we cannot doubt that a high destiny is yet in reserve for it. From the wisdom and vigour which have hitherto characterized your Excellency's administration, we look forward to this colony being speedily placed in a position befitting its importance; and we can assure your Excellency that liberal and enlightened measures for its. advancement will be received by no portion of her Majesty's subjects with more gratitude, or supported with warmer cordiality, than by the settlers of Nelson. We request your Excellency to present our respectful congratulations to Mrs. Grey on her arrival, and our best wishes for her health and happiness. On the 6th March a meeting, principally of the working classes, was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, and after considerable discussion, a series of resolutions were passed, and a deputation chosen to support the same in an interview to be Solicited with the Governor: — 1. The want of permanent military protection in the settlement; 2. Necessity of Representative Government, and, during tbe infancy of the colony, payment of expenses of members from taxes; 3. Local Government desirable, but not to add to the present burdens of the people; 4. Want of confidence in the present magistracy, and highly desirable that the list should be revised ; 5. Expenditure within the settlement of the revenue collected; 6. Want of gaol and other public works; 7. Repeal of present Trespass Act, and enactments required against dogs, to protect sheep from scab, &c.;. 8. Want of general system of" Education ; d. Direct and frequent communication with Government; 10* Removal of Post office to the town; 11. Pension to the destitute Wairau sufferers. A deputation was appointed to wait on his Excellency.